Iker Casillas Crying After Making HIstory

The above picture best describes the emotional rollercoaster that the Spanish team and people went through as they witnessed history unfold at Soccer City when Spain won the World Cup for the first time.

The Spanish captain could not control his emotions as they became the eighth team to lift the World Cup.

Tears of happiness ran down the Real Madrid goalie's eyes as referee Howard Webb blew the final whistle to conclude the 19th FIFA World Cup.

The picture will be long etched in the memories of the Spanish people.

Germany Bombards Maradona's World Cup Dreams

The legendary Diego Maradona had vowed to run naked through the streets of Buenos Aires if his team of talented and skilled youngsters became world champions.

He looked poised to keep his word as Argentina reached the quarterfinals in style with complete command.

But then Joachim Loew's boys brought the high-flying South Americans back to earth. As Muller and Co. were carrying on their destruction of Argentina, Maradona looked a man at his wit's end.

After convincingly cruising through the group stages and round of 16, Argentina were being touted as the favorites for the World Cup. Nobody might have seen this coming, as the Germans demolished Argentina in the biggest win of the World Cup.

Muller celebrated in the backdrop of a depressed Maradona and a crying Messi as the Argentine dream of a World Cup win evaporated.

Luis Suarez Stars In

Luis Suarez probably became the first player to go off the field in all smiles after being red-carded, and why shouldn't he. His intentional handling of the ball ultimately paved the way for his nation to make it to the semis, defeating Ghana in the penalties. He starred in "Hand of God II" and won it for his nation.

His country was staring at defeat as a head from Dominic Adiyiah in the 120th minute was heading goalwards. With nothing between the ball and the goal, Suarez intentionally used his hand to stop the ball, in full view of the referee and the whole world.

He got red-carded for his offense and had to leave the field. But he had done his contribution for his nation, as Asamoah Gyan missed the ensuing penalty and Uruguay went went ahead to the semis, defeating Ghana in the tie-breakers.

His excited jump of celebration as he watched Gyan miss the penalty will be the defining moment of this World Cup. While Suarez became a national hero, his opponent Gyan turned the villain as he blasted Ghana's dream of creating history over the goal.

Asamaoah Gyan Misses the Opportunity For Glory

History was beckoning him and the man of the moment for Ghana blew up his chance to grab that opportunity.

With only a few seconds left from the final whistle, Ghana had been presented a penalty after Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez intentionally handled a goal-bound ball for which the star striker was given marching orders.

The whole of Africa and probably the world waited with bated breath to see if Gyan could score Ghana to history.

But such huge expectations proved too much for the Ghanaian star, and he blasted the ball over the goal post. As he broke down in tears later, the sent-off man Suarez celebrated in joy as he became Uruguay's hero for the match.

This was the closest Ghana came to achieving glory, but missed narrowly, and the picture of a dejected Gyan in the backdrop of joyous Uruguay celebrations will be a trademark picture of this edition of the World Cup.

Defending Champions Italy Knocked Out By Slovakia

Perhaps the biggest upset of the tournament. A small nation starring in their debut World Cup defeated the previous world champions and that too in style.

The defending world champions were seeded in the so-called easier group along with Paraguay and World Cup debutants New Zealand and Slovakia.

They were assumed to cruise through to the knockout rounds but the debutants proved too much for the aging Italians. After drawing their matches with New Zealand and Paraguay, it was a do-or-die for Marcelo Lippi's men as they took on the young Slovaks.

But the Slovakians gave a spirited fight and were 2-0 up with 10 minutes remaining. The Italians returned one goal, but fell back again as Hamsik and Co. ousted the Azzurris from the World Cup and made the next round themselves.

The Italians were outwitted, outclassed, and outplayed as they succumbed to a young and spirited side.